After a while, Jade hasn’t come to get me yet, so I decide to check on her.
I hear her moving around in the bathroom still, so I grab a pair of pajama pants from my dresser and change into them. I’ve just tossed my clothes into the hamper when the bathroom door opens. I glance over my shoulder, but then slowly turn to face her. She’s trying to kill me already. Jade is standing in the doorway, wearing nothing but an old hockey t-shirt from my early years before I made it to the NHL.
My gaze slowly travels over her from head to toe. When I make it back to her eyes, I don’t see purple. Beautiful blue-green eyes are staring back at me. Those eyes are a wide-open view into Jade, who is currently ogling me as much as I am her. My mouth parts, but I still can’t think of a single word to say. She’s too gorgeous.
“I, uh–” Her eyes snap to mine and I think a little clearer. “How was your shower?”
“Hot. I may have used all the hot water, but glitter is a bitch to get off.”
I chuckle. “Are you ready to lay down then?”
She nods, but stares at the bed, looking nervous. “Sure.”
I walk to other side of the bed, hoping I’m simply misreading her. I already told her this isn’t about sex and I’m not sleeping with her tonight, no matter how hot she looks, so she shouldn’t be worried about that. “Help me pull the covers back.” She does. Once we’re done, she still looks unsure, making no move to get in the bed. “Everything okay, Jade?”
“You have a bed.” She points at it.
“Yes, I do,” I say, unsure of where she’s going with this.
“I haven’t slept in a bed since I was sixteen, and even then, I didn’t sleep because…well, that’s another story. I kinda have a thing weird things about beds, but I’m sure you caught on to that when we talked about my fantasy,” she rambles.
“You haven’t slept in a bed in five years?” Wow. I can’t imagine.
“Well, I never had a bed when I was with Mom. She had one, but no one slept in it because she only used it for sex for her johns. When I went in and out of foster care, there were a couple times I had a bed, but I don’t want to remember those. Normally, I slept on a floor, chair, or couch. At my place, I sleep on the couch.” Jade pauses, realizing how much she just told me. “I didn’t realize how crazy that sounds when I say it out loud.” She forces a laugh.
“It’s not crazy, Jade.” It takes a second for me to realize how to make her comfortable here. “Get in the bed.”
She doesn’t right away. Instead, she cautiously touches the bedding, looking almost scared, but then she sits down, pulling the covers over her legs.
“Lay down, get comfortable, and bring the covers up to your nose.”
“Okay, but if this is some trick to get laid, you’re wasting your time. I’m a sure thing if you didn’t know by now.”
I shake my head and chuckle. “Close your eyes and take a deep breath until you feel like you’re completely relaxed.” I wait until she does. With a soft tone, I say, “This bed, the scent in the sheets, the warmth and ease you feel is safety. This house is a safe, worry-free place. This is a quiet place away from all the bad, and it’s yours as long as you want it.” Jade seems to relax more because her face looks peaceful. “Feel better?”
“I was actually wondering if you ever thought about doing one of those meditation CDs. That sexy Finnish accent is quite soothing,” she giggles.
I laugh and finally get into the bed. “I’ll think about it.” Just then, Honeybun jumps onto her side. “C’mere, Jade. You’re in her spot. We don’t want Honeybun cranky.” I pull her closer and wrap my arms around her, thankful for a good reason to hold her.
Chapter Nine
Jade
What the fuck am I doing?
I finish making the bed and stare at it. I fell asleep in Valo’s arms and this morning, I woke up in the same position. I slept all night long. I’m twenty-one years old and I don’t think I ever slept through a whole night. I’ve never felt this rested.
Valo is off at practice and I need to get my clothes. I don’t care about the stuff in the apartment. It can go to the next person or whatever squatter will take residence. Valo left his truck, but I’m not taking it. I dump my purse and I have enough to get there and about halfway back. I can walk three miles. I’ve done it before. I pick up some of the trash in the living room and head out.
Greenwood is hopping and everyone seems to be out.
“Baby Jade.”
I groan seeing Rick on the corner watching over his girls.
“When’s your mama coming back?”
“According to the judge, two years. She failed her surprise drug test, violated her parole, and, oh right, got picked up by an undercover cop for hooking. The legal system frowns upon those types of things.”